If you’ve searched for “notorious meaning,” you probably want more than a one-line dictionary definition. The word notorious has a very specific tone. It describes someone or something that is widely known, usually because of something bad, unpleasant, or disreputable.
For example, a criminal can be notorious for committing serious crimes. A restaurant might become notorious for terrible service. A student could even be notorious for constantly arriving late.
That last example shows something important: notorious doesn’t always describe something extremely evil or criminal. The word can describe any negative reputation that has become widely recognized.
In this guide, you’ll learn what “notorious” means, how the word is used in sentences, what makes someone or something notorious, and how “notorious” differs from related words such as “famous,” “infamous,” and “well-known.” You’ll also see clear examples to make the meaning easy to understand.
What Does “Notorious” Mean?
Notorious means widely known for something bad, negative, or undesirable. It usually describes a person, place, event, organization, or behavior that has developed a strong negative reputation. Unlike famous, which can be positive or neutral, notorious almost always carries an unfavorable meaning.
Think of it this way:
Famous = widely known.
Notorious = widely known for something bad.
For example:
- “She is a famous singer.” → Positive or neutral.
- “He is a notorious fraudster.” → Strongly negative.
- “The city is famous for its food.” → Positive.
- “The neighborhood is notorious for theft.” → Negative.
The key idea is negative recognition. Something becomes notorious when enough people know about it because of an undesirable quality, action, event, or reputation.
Notorious Meaning in Simple English
In simple English, notorious means famous for something bad.
If someone is notorious, many people know who that person is, but the reason for that recognition isn’t flattering. The person might be known for crime, dishonesty, bad behavior, controversy, or another negative trait.
A simple memory trick is:
Notorious = known + negative reputation.
For example:
“Jake is notorious for missing deadlines.”
This doesn’t necessarily mean Jake has committed a serious offense. It simply means his habit of missing deadlines has become well known.
Is “Notorious” Always Negative?
In modern English, notorious is overwhelmingly negative.
You normally wouldn’t call someone notorious because they donated millions of dollars to charity, won a prestigious award, or invented a useful technology. In those situations, words such as famous, renowned, celebrated, or respected work better.
Compare these sentences:
- “Marie Curie was famous for her scientific work.”
- “The criminal was notorious for violent robberies.”
- “The author was renowned for her novels.”
- “The company became notorious for misleading customers.”
There are occasional contexts where notorious can refer to something merely remarkable or conspicuous, but this usage is much less common. For everyday modern English, assume that notorious has a negative connotation.
Notorious Definition and Part of Speech
Notorious is an adjective. It modifies a noun by describing someone or something that has gained widespread attention because of a negative characteristic, action, or reputation.
Common nouns that follow notorious include:
- criminal
- criminal gang
- thief
- murderer
- scammer
- case
- crime
- scandal
- reputation
- neighborhood
- organization
- dictator
- incident
- problem
- habit
- behavior
The word can describe both serious wrongdoing and relatively ordinary negative habits.
What Is the Definition of Notorious?
The clearest definition of notorious is:
Widely known, especially because of something bad, unpleasant, controversial, or disreputable.
The word combines two ideas:
- High public awareness
- A negative reason for that awareness
If only the first idea applies, famous or well-known may be more appropriate.
If both apply, notorious is a strong choice.
For example:
“The island is well-known for its beaches.”
This sounds positive or neutral.
But:
“The island is notorious for its dangerous roads.”
Now the reason for its reputation is negative.
Notorious as an Adjective
Because notorious is an adjective, it usually appears before a noun or after a linking verb.
Before a noun:
- a notorious criminal
- a notorious scandal
- a notorious case
- a notorious fraud
- a notorious neighborhood
After a linking verb:
- “The company became notorious.”
- “The politician was notorious for corruption.”
- “The location is notorious for traffic.”
The construction “notorious for” is particularly common.
Notorious Meaning With Examples
The best way to understand notorious is to see how its meaning changes with context.
Examples of Notorious for People
A person can become notorious because of crimes, dishonesty, controversial behavior, or a persistent bad habit.
Examples:
- “The notorious thief disappeared before the police arrived.”
- “He became notorious for manipulating investors.”
- “The gangster was notorious throughout the region.”
- “The coach was notorious for humiliating players during practice.”
- “She was notorious for breaking promises.”
- “The hacker became notorious after several major security breaches.”
Notice that the final two examples don’t necessarily involve crimes. Notorious can describe a negative reputation at different levels of seriousness.
Calling someone “notorious for being late” is much less severe than calling someone “a notorious murderer.”
Context determines the weight of the word.
Examples of Notorious for Places
Places can also become notorious.
For example:
- “The street is notorious for traffic jams.”
- “The neighborhood became notorious for late-night violence.”
- “That highway is notorious for accidents.”
- “The beach is notorious for its dangerous currents.”
- “The restaurant is notorious for its long wait times.”
- “The town became notorious for a series of unsolved robberies.”
Here, notorious describes a public reputation attached to a location.
The place itself doesn’t have to be morally responsible for what happens there. A neighborhood may become notorious because of crime rates. A road may become notorious because of dangerous conditions.
Examples of Notorious for Behavior or Actions
One of the most useful patterns is:
notorious for + noun
or
notorious for + verb-ing
Examples:
- “The company is notorious for hidden fees.”
- “The website is notorious for misleading advertisements.”
- “He is notorious for exaggerating his achievements.”
- “The landlord became notorious for ignoring maintenance requests.”
- “The restaurant is notorious for slow service.”
- “The player is notorious for arguing with referees.”
This pattern is especially useful because it lets you describe a repeated behavior that has become part of someone’s reputation.
Examples of Notorious in Everyday Contexts
You don’t have to discuss criminals or major scandals to use notorious correctly.
Consider these situations:
At work:
“Our manager is notorious for scheduling meetings that run two hours over.”
At school:
“The professor is notorious for giving difficult final exams.”
In customer service:
“That airline is notorious for delayed baggage.”
Among friends:
“Mike is notorious for forgetting his keys.”
In technology:
“The software is notorious for consuming excessive memory.”
These examples show the flexibility of the word. The underlying meaning stays the same: a negative characteristic has become widely recognized.
How to Use “Notorious” Correctly
Using notorious correctly comes down to understanding its negative tone and sentence patterns.
The word works best when the undesirable characteristic is recognizable enough to form part of a reputation.
Notorious for + Noun or -ing Verb
The structure “notorious for” is one of the most natural ways to use the word.
Use:
notorious for + noun
Examples:
- notorious for fraud
- notorious for corruption
- notorious for poor service
- notorious for delays
You can also use:
notorious for + verb-ing
Examples:
- notorious for cheating
- notorious for lying
- notorious for arriving late
- notorious for overcharging customers
- notorious for ignoring complaints
The second structure is particularly useful when describing a repeated action.
For example:
“The contractor is notorious for missing deadlines.”
This tells the reader two things immediately: the contractor misses deadlines, and this habit has become part of his reputation.
Notorious + Noun
You can also place notorious directly before a noun.
Common combinations include:
- notorious criminal
- notorious gangster
- notorious fraudster
- notorious scandal
- notorious crime
- notorious case
- notorious dictator
- notorious reputation
- notorious incident
- notorious problem
For example:
“The investigation focused on a notorious financial scandal.”
Or:
“The detective spent years studying the notorious case.”
This structure is concise and natural, particularly in journalism, historical writing, and formal prose.
Common Mistakes With Notorious
One of the biggest mistakes is treating notorious as a direct synonym for famous.
Consider:
“She is a notorious actress.”
This sounds strange unless you mean that she is known for something negative.
If you simply mean that she is widely recognized, use:
- famous
- well-known
- celebrated
- popular
- renowned
Another common mistake is using notorious for a clearly positive achievement.
Instead of:
“He is notorious for his charitable work.”
Say:
“He is renowned for his charitable work.”
You should also avoid confusing notorious with notoriously. The first is an adjective, while the second is an adverb.
Notorious vs. Famous vs. Infamous
The distinction between these words is one of the most important parts of understanding notorious meaning.
| Word | Basic meaning | Typical tone | Example |
| Famous | Known by many people | Neutral or positive | a famous actor |
| Notorious | Known widely for something bad | Negative | a notorious criminal |
| Infamous | Famous for something extremely bad | Strongly negative | an infamous tyrant |
| Well-known | Known by many people | Neutral | a well-known author |
| Renowned | Widely admired or respected | Positive | a renowned scientist |
The easiest distinction is:
Famous tells you someone is well known.
Notorious tells you someone is well known for something negative.
Infamous emphasizes an especially bad reputation.
Is Notorious the Same as Infamous?
Notorious and infamous overlap considerably, but they aren’t always identical in tone.
Both can describe someone or something widely known for negative reasons.
For example:
“The notorious criminal escaped from prison.”
and:
“The infamous criminal escaped from prison.”
Both sentences work.
However, infamous often carries a stronger sense of disgrace, wickedness, or extreme wrongdoing.
Think of the difference as one of intensity:
notorious → strongly negative reputation
infamous → deeply disgraceful or exceptionally bad reputation
The distinction isn’t absolute, though. In everyday conversation, people frequently use the two words interchangeably.
Is Notorious the Opposite of Famous?
Not exactly.
This is a common misunderstanding.
Famous and notorious both describe something that is widely known. The difference is the reason and emotional tone behind that recognition.
Someone can be:
- famous for winning awards
- famous for acting
- famous for scientific discoveries
- notorious for fraud
- notorious for corruption
- notorious for cheating
So notorious isn’t the opposite of famous. It’s closer to “famous for something bad.”
A useful mental model is:
Famous = high recognition.
Notorious = high recognition + negative reputation.
Notorious Synonyms and Antonyms
The best synonym depends on exactly how negative the context is.
Synonyms for Notorious
Here are several useful alternatives:
- Infamous — famous for something extremely bad
- Ill-famed — having a bad reputation
- Disreputable — lacking respectability
- Scandalous — associated with shocking or disgraceful behavior
- Dishonorable — lacking moral integrity
- Deplorable — deserving strong disapproval
- Shameful — deserving shame or embarrassment
- Controversial — causing disagreement or public debate
Not all of these are perfect replacements.
For example, controversial doesn’t necessarily mean notorious. Something can be controversial without being widely known for wrongdoing.
Likewise, disreputable emphasizes poor character or reputation but doesn’t necessarily imply widespread recognition.
Antonyms for Notorious
Depending on the context, possible antonyms include:
- unknown
- obscure
- unnoticed
- respectable
- reputable
- honorable
- admired
- respected
- reputable
- renowned
The best opposite depends on which part of notorious you want to contrast.
If you want the opposite of widely known, use unknown or obscure.
If you want the opposite of having a bad reputation, use respected, reputable, or honorable.
Which Synonym Is Closest to Notorious?
Infamous is usually the closest common synonym.
Both words describe widespread recognition connected to something negative.
Still, infamous can sound more severe.
For example:
“The notorious company was known for aggressive sales tactics.”
sounds negative but relatively restrained.
“The infamous regime became associated with brutal repression.”
sounds considerably more severe.
Choose the synonym according to the strength of the situation rather than simply swapping words mechanically.
Notorious Pronunciation
Notorious is a four-syllable word in standard English pronunciation, with the main stress toward the beginning of the word.
The American English pronunciation is commonly represented in IPA as:
/noʊˈtɔːriəs/
The British pronunciation can vary somewhat in its vowel sounds, but the overall syllable pattern remains recognizable.
When saying the word, avoid rushing through the middle syllables. The main stress falls on the second syllable.
How to Pronounce Notorious
Break the word into four syllables:
no-TOR-i-ous
The strongest emphasis falls on TOR.
A useful pronunciation tip is to think of the word as having a clear four-part rhythm rather than treating it as one long sound.
You may also encounter slightly different pronunciations depending on regional accent. That’s normal in English.
Notoriously vs. Notorious
Notorious is an adjective.
Notoriously is the corresponding adverb.
Compare:
“The exam is notorious for its difficulty.”
with:
“The exam is notoriously difficult.”
In the first sentence, notorious modifies the noun relationship through the phrase “notorious for.”
In the second sentence, notoriously modifies the adjective difficult.
What Does “Notoriously” Mean?
Notoriously means in a way that is widely known, especially because something is negative, difficult, problematic, or undesirable.
Examples:
- “The machine is notoriously unreliable.”
- “The region is notoriously expensive.”
- “The test is notoriously difficult.”
- “He is notoriously impatient.”
- “The road is notoriously dangerous during winter.”
Notice that notoriously often appears before an adjective.
Common combinations include:
- notoriously difficult
- notoriously expensive
- notoriously unreliable
- notoriously dangerous
- notoriously slow
- notoriously complicated
- notoriously secretive
Notorious vs. Notoriously
The simplest way to remember the difference is grammatical:
| Word | Part of speech | Example |
| Notorious | Adjective | a notorious criminal |
| Notoriously | Adverb | notoriously difficult |
If you’re describing a noun, use notorious.
If you’re modifying an adjective or describing how something is known, notoriously may be appropriate.
Origin and History of the Word Notorious
The history of notorious makes its modern meaning particularly interesting.
The word ultimately traces back to Latin notorius, connected with the idea of something being known or made known. Its early development was more closely tied to public knowledge than to the strongly negative reputation the word usually carries today.
Over time, its use became increasingly associated with undesirable people, acts, and circumstances.
That shift is a good example of semantic change: a word can retain a connection to its original concept while developing a more specialized emotional meaning.
Where Does Notorious Come From?
The English word notorious developed through Medieval Latin notorius, which was related to the Latin root associated with knowing or recognizing.
At its core, the historical idea was essentially:
Something that is known or brought to public attention.
The modern meaning adds another layer:
Something known because of a bad or unfavorable reputation.
That distinction helps explain why notorious and famous still share an important underlying idea: both involve public recognition.
How Did Notorious Become a Negative Word?
Language often changes through repeated association.
If a word describing something “widely known” repeatedly appears in discussions about criminals, scandals, wrongdoing, and disgraceful behavior, readers eventually begin associating the word itself with those negative subjects.
That’s broadly what happened with notorious.
Its modern meaning developed around the idea that something isn’t merely well known. It is well known for a reason people view negatively.
This also explains why the word can feel stronger than well-known even though both describe recognition.
How to Remember the Meaning of Notorious
The easiest memory trick is:
Notorious = known for something negative.
Imagine two people entering a room.
One is famous because everyone has heard of her successful novels.
The other is notorious because everyone has heard about his repeated scams.
Both are recognized.
Only one has the negative reputation that notorious communicates.
Another useful formula is:
Notorious = widely known + bad reason
This formula works in most everyday situations.
For example:
“The restaurant is notorious for slow service.”
Ask yourself two questions:
- Is the restaurant widely known for this?
- Is the reason negative?
If the answer to both questions is yes, notorious is likely a good fit.
Practical Case Study: Choosing the Right Word
Imagine you’re writing about a fictional restaurant called Harbor House.
The restaurant has become widely recognized because its food is excellent.
You could write:
“Harbor House is a famous restaurant.”
If customers admire its food and chefs, you could write:
“Harbor House is a renowned restaurant.”
But suppose the restaurant is widely known because customers regularly complain about rude staff and two-hour waits.
Now you could write:
“Harbor House is notorious for its poor service.”
The facts haven’t changed in terms of recognition. What changes is why people know the restaurant.
This is the central distinction between famous and notorious.
Notorious Meaning in Different Contexts
The word becomes easier to use when you understand how its tone changes with context.
| Context | Example | Strength |
| Criminal behavior | notorious murderer | Very strong |
| Fraud | notorious scammer | Strong |
| Politics/history | notorious dictator | Very strong |
| Business | notorious for hidden fees | Moderate to strong |
| Workplace | notorious for missing deadlines | Moderate |
| School | notorious for difficult exams | Mild to moderate |
| Everyday habits | notorious for being late | Mild |
This range matters.
Calling someone “notorious for being late” can be humorous or mildly critical. Calling someone “a notorious murderer” is obviously far more serious.
The adjective carries negativity, but context determines its intensity.
Why “Notorious” Can Sound Stronger Than You Expect
Words don’t just communicate facts. They also communicate attitude.
Compare:
“The company is known for charging high fees.”
with:
“The company is notorious for charging high fees.”
The first sentence reports information.
The second sentence suggests that the company’s reputation has become widely recognized and unfavorable.
That’s why notorious can make ordinary criticism sound much sharper.
If you’re writing professionally, consider whether that stronger tone is appropriate. In neutral reporting, known for or frequently criticized for may sometimes be more precise.
Common Collocations With Notorious
Learning common word combinations can make your writing sound much more natural.
Some frequent combinations include:
- notorious criminal
- notorious gangster
- notorious killer
- notorious scammer
- notorious fraud
- notorious crime
- notorious scandal
- notorious case
- notorious reputation
- notorious neighborhood
- notorious reputation
- notorious for corruption
- notorious for cheating
- notorious for delays
- notorious for poor service
- notorious for being difficult
These combinations also reveal an important usage pattern: notorious often appears with words connected to crime, reputation, controversy, difficulty, or repeated problems.
When Should You Use “Notorious”?
Use notorious when you want to communicate both recognition and negative reputation.
It works particularly well when:
- a person has become widely known for wrongdoing;
- a place has a bad reputation;
- an organization repeatedly behaves badly;
- a problem has become widely recognized;
- someone is known for an undesirable habit;
- an event has become famous for negative reasons.
Avoid it when you simply mean “popular” or “well-known.”
For example:
Correct:
“The website is notorious for aggressive pop-up advertisements.”
Incorrect or awkward:
“The singer is notorious for her beautiful voice.”
Better:
“The singer is famous for her beautiful voice.”
Or, if admiration is the focus:
“The singer is renowned for her beautiful voice.”
Quick Comparison: Which Word Should You Choose?
| If you mean… | Use… |
| Known by many people | well-known |
| Known and generally admired | renowned |
| Known and popular | famous |
| Known for something bad | notorious |
| Known for something extremely disgraceful | infamous |
| Having a poor reputation | disreputable |
| Causing public disagreement | controversial |
| Unknown to most people | obscure |
This distinction is especially useful when you’re editing articles, writing reports, or choosing precise vocabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions About Notorious
What does notorious mean in simple words?
Notorious means widely known for something bad or undesirable. It describes a person, place, organization, event, or behavior that has developed a negative public reputation.
Is notorious a positive or negative word?
Notorious is normally negative. It suggests that someone or something is widely known because of an undesirable quality, action, reputation, or behavior. The severity can range from mildly annoying to seriously criminal depending on context.
What is a synonym for notorious?
Infamous is one of the closest synonyms for notorious. Other possibilities include ill-famed, disreputable, scandalous, and dishonorable. The best choice depends on the specific context and how strong you want the negative meaning to be.
What is the difference between famous and notorious?
Famous means widely known and can be positive, negative, or neutral. Notorious means widely known for something negative. Someone can be famous for winning awards but notorious for dishonest behavior.
What is the difference between notorious and infamous?
Both words describe negative fame, but infamous often sounds stronger. Notorious means widely known for something bad, while infamous can suggest an especially disgraceful, shocking, or evil reputation.
How do you use notorious in a sentence?
The most common patterns are “notorious + noun” and “notorious for + noun or -ing verb.” For example: “He is a notorious criminal” and “The company is notorious for overcharging customers.”
Final Takeaway: What Does Notorious Mean?
The simplest answer to “notorious meaning” is:
Notorious means widely known, especially because of something bad, negative, controversial, or undesirable.
The word is an adjective, and its strongest clue is its negative connotation.
Remember the three-way distinction:
- Famous: widely known.
- Notorious: widely known for something bad.
- Infamous: widely known for something especially disgraceful.
When you’re unsure whether notorious fits, ask yourself:
“Is this person or thing widely known because of a negative characteristic, action, or reputation?”
If the answer is yes, notorious may be exactly the word you need.
For everyday writing, pay particular attention to the useful pattern “notorious for.” It lets you describe repeated behavior naturally:
“The company is notorious for hidden fees.”
“He is notorious for missing deadlines.”
“The road is notorious for dangerous driving conditions.”
Master that distinction, and you’ll not only understand notorious meaning but also know when to choose famous, infamous, renowned, well-known, or disreputable instead.
Next step: If you’re building your vocabulary, compare notorious with related words such as infamous, infamous vs. notorious, renowned, disreputable, and controversial. Understanding the subtle differences will help you choose words with much greater precision.
